I've had an epiphany. My feelings about environmentalism have acted as a religion for me over the course of my life. The third definition of "religion" in the Merriam-Webster dictionary is an "interest, a belief, or an activity that is very important to a person or group."

I find that I am deeply affected by the student who chooses to drop their peels and cores in to a trashcan instead of seeking out a compost bin, as they have been taught. I can openly admit that I cried quite recently when an airport security guard confiscated my barely serrated butter knife and threw it away (but didn't take the fork I had stabbed myself with only the day before while searching for something else), thus contributing to landfill contents I've pointedly avoided by transporting said silverware set from place to place every day. (Side note: that fork, knife and spoon have been in my backpack for about two years now and that means I've been through at least twelve airport security checkpoints...Way to be consistent TSA). I have a sense of dread that my apartment company doesn't actually recycle the contents in their dumpster titled "Recyclable Materials."

Just last week, while waiting for a plane out of Houston, I watched a TED Talk about the lack of nature in our lives which stated, "Prison inmates and chickens spend more time outdoors than the average children. The average child spends seven and a half hours in front of a screen," one way or another. It has been deemed unsafe for those inmates and chickens to spend so much time inside, so why not extend that to un-incarcerated humans? Part of if it seems to be that we have become incarcerated by our technology and put that walk around the block or weekend hike on the back burner.

Waiting for that same flight, I attempted to get coffee at a Starbucks. Nowhere near my first choice but my flight had been diverted, I didn't get much sleep and I was craving the comforting tastes of a vanilla latte (lovingly made with beaver castoreum-look it up). I can tell you, I walked away from that Starbucks empty-handed. My "religion" prohibits me from getting a coffee drink if I don't have my own mug. Well, I had my own mug today dang-it but was told they couldn't fill it. "Cross-contamination" was the given reason. Hmmmm, Starbucks sells re-usable mugs. Starbucks employees handle money and have the provisions necessary to wash their hands to combat said "contamination." Why couldn't they fill my perfectly clean, respectable Maine Audubon/LL Bean coffee mug? Just one more reason I don't need to support the Starbucks corporation.

Monday, I sat my high school students down and had a conversation about origins and meaning behind Earth Day, which occurred the previous Friday. We went through the When, Where, Why, What, How of it all and I told them what my Earth Day consisted of this year and ten years ago. Ten years ago, my college classmates and I created a pamphlet to warn sunbathing students of the toxicity of Roundup. They were unknowingly exposing their bare flesh to this glyphosphate carcinogen by sitting on the green spaces around campus. Being the pride and joy of campus means one cannot have dandelions growing among the flawless green grass so what do you do? Kill them all.

Our one contribution to the students on campus that Earth Day may not have changed the world but it did have an effect. Similarly, this year, I went to a water-centric conference about sustainability, ecological and environmental aspects of water resources in the Texas Hill Country. This subject was all well and good but it wasn't until lunch rolled around that I looked around in search of a recycle bin and found a major flaw. Plastic water bottles were handed out in bulk, our catered lunch contained embarrassingly unnecessary amounts of packaging and don't even get me started on where all the uneaten food ended up. Admittedly, one person can only do so much...

Instead of sitting by and being a willing accomplice in further additions to a flawed disposal system, I rounded up some trash bags and tape, then created signs and stood by the trash cans as conference participants unloaded their empty (or not-so-empty) vessels. A few people lent an extra hand, one offered to take some of the large bags of recyclable materials home and many even put their lunch remnants in the correct location. However, more people than expected (at a sustainable resources conference mind you!) put their recyclables into the trash. The joke was on them however, as I rounded on the three trashcans and corrected their mistakes. By the end of the day, I had collected six bags of plastics, papers and metals to take back to the big city and salvage the wealth of materials.

These stories are not told to toot my proverbial horn or gain recognition. I have no desire to that effect. I only wish to convey the hope that the citizens of this limited earth ponder their choices. Can you take the extra 30 seconds to walk to a compost or recycle bin instead of using the trash can? Will you pour your unused liquids on a plant or ground outside instead of down the drain? Do you bring reusable containers or materials everywhere so you don't use disposable ones? Think about where "it" goes when you throw something "away." What resources, time, energy, money, passion, etc went into making it or processing it after you're finished with whatever "it" is. With more thought and calculated action, only then can we all change the world, one action at a time.

This is the week of food from my French alter-ego (see previous Ameera post). Walking home from a housewarming affair last night, I passed Sip of Europe, a new crêpe and espresso joint next to Otto's on the East End. A sign in the window stated that this past week, through Sunday (hint, hint), is "pay-what-you-want" week as it has just recently opened. Well bonjour and oui, s'il te plaît! I made a plan to visit mere hours later.

This morning I pondered going to yoga but ended up on a long bike ride instead, as tomorrow's weather doesn't look conducive to outdoor enjoyment. My destination was Scratch Bakery and Spring Point Light afterwards. For the past few days, I've been craving a ride and bagel and weekends are the time to make it all happen.

When I arrived at Scratch, I was shocked to discover I had the place almost to myself, comparatively speaking. Meaning, instead of a line for bagels 30 deep and another to pay, I only stood in front of all the tempting goods for about two minutes total before I was released from the hypnotic sights and smells of the bakery. But even then, I almost bought almost everything. In reality though, I purchased a many-seeded bagel and cream cheese, then headed to my favorite Maine spot: Spring Point Light on the SMCC campus. I ate while enjoying rhythmic waves, gull calls and a very light sprinkling rain from atop the old fort wall. I would have stayed longer but wanted to get back to town and ready for the next part of my day before the sky really opened up.

Next on my agenda was GASHAROO, an event held at Novare Res, which celebrates Allagash Brewery. Over 26 Allagash-brewed beers were available until the kegs kicked, which a couple did in the first few hours. Luckily, I scored a glass of the one I really showed up for: Avance. Visit the Allagash website for a true description (http://www.allagash.com/beer/avance/?ao_confirm) but my thoughts on it were thus: great pinkish color, sour and fruity taste and strong ABV percentage which meant I only needed one. I later had a Golden Brett (http://www.allagash.com/beer/golden-brett/) which I remembered being more pineapple-y but it was a lovely yellow color and easy to drink.

In between beers was when I made my way to Sip of Europe. Eating at Novare is fun and delicious but not when it's super-packed and you have crêpes on the brain. The cafe was empty save one man when I entered but in my time there, three others came in to fill the place a bit. I want Sip of Europe to succeed, if only because I don't know where else to eat crêpes outside my own kitchen, now that The Merry Table on Wharf Street has closed. The owner, Yulia, is a charming and energetic Russian woman who's always dreamed of owning her own cafe. She had a place in Old Orchard Beach but, as we all know, Portland has a better food scene.

I ordered a mocha, a savory ham/cheese/mustard crêpe and a sweet banana and Nutella crêpe in subsequent order, in order to savor it all. The crêpes were made on a traditional, round cooking surface and were soft, warm, stuffed full of fresh ingredients and comforting. Once upon a time in a land far, far away, I learned to make crêpes and have enjoyed them at home ever since but I use a regular sautée. The effect is somewhat the same but the uniform consistency of Yulia's crêpes were perfect. I seriously wanted one more (or three more) of each kind but kept my stomach in check, most likely because I had already planned on going again on Sunday. Lucky for me however, I walked five miles and biked eight over the course of the day so some of the carbs from the bagel, beers and crêpes were displaced.

My meal was so good that the environmentalist in me didn't even lament the paper plates and plastic utensils. Though when I go back, I will have to bring my own. How is it any different than bringing your own mug to a coffee shop? Find more information to plan your visit here http://sipofeurope.com/ or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sipofeurope!

Sometimes I get cravings for food I haven't had in awhile but other times, I try something and want it again and again forthwith. Ameera Bread on Forest Avenue, across from Baxter Woods, is what I want to eat right now. I want it tomorrow and every day next week too. I want to try their falafel and the hummus, have baklava for dessert and buy the wheat pita breads to make my own sandwiches at home. And add Ameera's tabbouleh to everything. It is quite often in life that we desire something we can never attain so it's a great joy to have found one more delicious constant that I can experience. The best news of all is that they are about to open another location in the Public Market Square in Monument Square. There was a recent review about Ameera in Maine Today two weeks ago so you can go look that up or find them on Facebook at Ameera Bread.

I was asked to visit Ameera with a friend yesterday after work. The weather was mild and therefore pleasant for a picnic. I brought a water-resistant blanket (because let's face it, it's Spring in Maine and the ground is moist), cold Allagash White beer, and plates with clothed animals (thank you West Elm/Mom). After ordering and waiting for a fresh, giant and hand crafted gyro and kufta, we hurried across the ever-bustling Forest Ave to slow down in Baxter Woods. We set up camp next to the pond immediately across from Ameera where I quickly proceeded to open up my gyro and take an un-lady-like-sized bite. The tastes and textures as well as a flooding of memory were absolute. The first time I tried a gyro was in France in 2004 but there, it's called a kebab (unlike the meat stick version of kebab in America). There's something about shaved, warm, thin slices of meat, lettuce, tomato and onions wrapped in handmade bread that is comforting. But then add whatever magic orange sauce and jalapenos to it and your day is made. It took awhile but I ate the whole thing. In between feedings, J and I searched for the ever-invisible Spring Peepers (hurray Spring! I also heard a Phoebe this morning) and tried to catch a Painted Turtle. It was a great end to an eventful day.

Back to the Woods for a minute though, if you've never been in this forest within a city, please go! You are treated to Spring Peeper serenades, Mallard Duck pairs, Painted Turtles swimming and squirrels creating or improving their dreys (nests made of leaves) sightings. If you venture further in, as I did on break from teaching all week, you get the feeling you are walking in the Pacific coast woods for some reason. The air is cool and you feel calm, even if you didn't when you entered. It's so peaceful even though you are encased between Forest Ave and Stevens Ave. There is a giant fort on the right side (from Forest Ave orientation) as well as a blown down tree that makes a perfect reading perch. Now, go forth and nature!